Kyocera Corp. announced that it has achieved a new world record of 16.6 percent module efficiency (aperture-area efficiency of 17.3 percent) for multicrystalline silicon solar modules using 54 cells in the development stage.

To achieve this record, Kyocera further improved its proprietary "Back Contact" technology and module design to optimize the performance of each cell, thus increasing overall energy conversion efficiency.

Kyocera's Back Contact technology moves electrode wiring that is typically arranged on the surface of the cell to the back side, thus increasing the light capturing surface area to maximize energy conversion efficiency.

Kyocera has achieved an energy conversion efficiency of 18.5 percent for individual solar cells in the development stage.

For more information, visit: www.kyocera.com